What questions do YOU ask your interviewer?

[NoUsername]

I am interviewing again for the first time in about two years.  The standard things I used to ask were:

-Is there any structured training/mentor program?

-How is work assigned?

-What is the hour requirement, if any?

-Is that billable hours or billed hours?




Any thoughts, additions, suggestions are welcomed.  Thanks.

[jacy85]

I'd do some heard research before asking a lot of those questions.  NALP answers almost all your questions about billables, and some firms may include some of those answers on their websites (especially if this is a summer program re: how work is assigned, etc.).

Typically, if it's a callback sort of situation, I usually ask "personal" questions about the interviewer's experiences in the firm, why they like it there or chose this firm, what kind of training opportunities they've had, etc.  If I'm interviewing with a partner or senior associate who has been with the firm for a good number of years, I occasionally asked about how the firm's grown in the last 5 years, how that person's practice has evolved (esp if it's a practice area I'm interested in), and where the person thinks the firm may be heading in terms of growth strategy.

My ultimate goal with questions was to *never* ask a question that is clearly answered somewhere easily accessible, to tap into the interviewer's personal experiences/opinions (which also shows that you are interested in the person you're speaking to, something that everyone typically appreciates), and to try to get a sense of what the firm is like and where the firm is going.

[OldCraig]

What was your LSAT score?

[nealric]

I think it's important to ask questions that show that you know something about the firm and have a sincere interest.

For example, if the firm has program XYZ for new associates, ask an intelligent question about that program. I also second jacy in recommending asking more personal questions. I think it often helps build repor if done right.   

[Matthies]

How little work can I do and still keep my job?

Is that paraleagl single?

Dude, WTF is up with this parnter, is it a guy, girl, he/she?

So what part of the office do you put the minorties in?

So personality is not a requiremnt to work here huh?

[vjm]

How do you feel about the Bush Doctrine?

[TimMitchell]

What was your LSAT score?

How little work can I do and still keep my job?

Is that paraleagl single?

Dude, WTF is up with this parnter, is it a guy, girl, he/she?

So what part of the office do you put the minorties in?

So personality is not a requiremnt to work here huh?

 

[santropez]

Ask them any question that will give them an open door to talk about themselves for a seemingly endless duration.  Lawyers like to talk. 

"What are some of the cases you're currently working on?"  is always a good one b/c it gives you an opportunity to display that you can be conversant on legal issues.  I find that this question usually leads to a good discussion... unless the cases they're working on are boring as hell.  But hey, if that's true then you probably don't want to work there.     

[CamelMan]

Also, I generally ask questions that say something about myself first... especially when they ask you for your questions too early in the interview.

That is the worst. I've honestly had to say something like "well, don't let me ask all the questions and make you talk the whole time; I'm sure you've got questions for me."

I've had to do that at least twice. Once it went over ok; the other time, not so much...ugh.

But your advice about it (the non-bolded) is a better way to deal with it.

[OldCraig]

When there are two interviewers in one session, I like to start them out with:

"Why does your thumb smell like his ass?"

offer every time.